Data Plates Exposed #3: Hs 123
 

The next plate in the series comes from a Luftwaffe workhorse, the Hs 123 ground-attack biplane. It identifies a part from a Hs 123 built by AGO Flugzeugwerke under Henschel license; one source attributes production of more than 100 of these planes (A-1 and B-1 models) to AGO.

This particular plate surfaced at a militaria auction back in the mid-1990s. Interestingly, on the back of the plate is scratched “2294” and “bei Arras.” This raises a possibility that the plate is associated with Hs 123 operations during the invasion of France. Several Hs 123 from II/LG2 were lost in that campaign in June 1940. The “2294” may indicate the date the plate was discovered there (February 2, 1994).

Any further related information would be appreciated.

Should you have a particular favorite airplane type that you would enjoy seeing a plate from, let me know.

Re: Data Plates Exposed #3: Hs 123
 

Hi Stephen

Before this is lost from a year ago. I would like to add the following:

I have AGO W/nrs in the range 2247 to 2299

But nothing on the loss of 2294.

As anything new come to light about this data-plate?

Do you have any other data-plates for AGO built a/c?

Hope this helps

Regards

Tom Willis

Re: Data Plates Exposed #3: Hs 123
 

Hi Tom,

Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, I have not learned any more related information since posting this article; I thought I'd get feedback, but yours has been the only reply. While I assumed that 2294 was the plate’s recovery date (2/2/94), the possibility of it being a WNr. appears more likely based on your information. Of no doubt is the location reference - the French town of Arras. I continue to think that the history behind this plate lies with losses thereabouts in June 1940.

I have no other Hs 123 plates. However, I have AGO plates marked to other types of aircraft. In time (work’s busy now) I’ll post additional plates in the series.

Best regards,
Steve